Tool for applying armor to transmission line conductors



May 25, 1943.

1.. J. KERBY 2,319,996

TOOL FOR APPLYING ARMOR TO TRANSMISSION LINE CONDUC Filed Sept. 24, 1941 TORS Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOL FOR APPLYING ARMOR T TRANS- MISSION LINE CONDUCTOBS Lowell J. Kerby, Owosso, Mich, assignor to A. B. Chance Company; Ccntralia, Mo, a corporation of Missouri 16 Claims.

The present invention relates to tools for applying armor to transmission line conductors, and is particularly concerned with the provision of tools by means of which armor of a simple and effective type can be applied with perfect safety to the transmission line conductors while they are energized with high voltage current.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of improved tools by means of which ordinary round wires may be applied to transmission line conductors in such manner that the wires-are spirally twisted around the conductors and permanently secured'thereto to form a coating of armor to protect the conductors against abrasion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an armor applying device of the class described which is adapted to be-manipulatedby means of tools carried at the end of long insulating poles so that the armor may be applied without deenergizing the line.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is simple, capable of economical manufacture and sale, sturdy, andwhich is adapted toapply the-armor in such manner that it is firmly attached to the conductor and completely covers the conductor over the desired length of conductor.

Another object of the invention is the-provision of an improved apparatus ofthe class described which is light, compact, capable of being carried in a tool box, and used inconnection with insulating poles of the type used with various types of hot wire clamps.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved device for applyingarmor to high tension wires which is adapted to be manipulated in a very simple way so that itdoesnot require special skill on'the part of the operators, and so that the technique may be learned very quickly and easily by those skilled'in theparticular art to which these tools pertain.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawing, in which similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying this specification;

Fig. l is an 'elevational view of a transmission line conductor showing the tools constructed :according to theLpresent invention in thecourse of the application of armor to the conductor;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational' view showing one of the twister heads in' its closed position with one of the driving tools hanging on its sub;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of one of the twister needs with two of the driving tools partially broken away to show the internal construction;

Fig. 4 is another side elevational view of a twister head as it appears when it is opened for application to the line, the head being carried by one of the standard forms of clamp stick which is applicable to the support of hot wire clamps or other members having an eye;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane on a line passing through the axis of the twister head;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 'll of Fig. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the plane of the line 8-4? of Fig. 4.

Referring to'Fig. 1, l0 and H indicate two twister head assemblies shown in connection with the driving and holding tools in the course of the application of armor l2 to a transmission line conductor iii. The driving and actuating tools are all identical in construction, and are merely indicated by different numerals for the purpose of designating their location. These tools are indicated by the numerals l4, l5, l6, and 11. Each of these tools, which is capable of both driving the twister heads or holding the twister heads, and each of which alternately performs these different functions, preferably comprises the long inserting Wooden pole 18, a universal clamping head l9, and atool extension 20.

The poles l8 comprise elongatedwooden members preferably cylindrical in shape of thoroughly dry lumber, preferably insulated with an insulating varnish. At their other ends they support the cast iron universal fitting comprising a cylindrical socket member secured by means of one ormore transversemetal rivet pins to the pole is. The cylindrical socket member has an axially extending supporting flange-2| provided with a threaded bore for receiving a thumb screw or wing bolt 22. The flange 2| is usually provided with laterally projecting lugs separated by grooves for engaging the complementary lugs and grooves 23, 24 on the supporting flange 25 of the tool fixtures 20.

It should be understood that poles may be provided in which the tool fixture 20 is directly attached to the wooden pole l8 by means of a socket l9 similar to that just described.

The universal pole just described is itself not new, as such poles are already in use for supporting all kinds of line tools when used on high transmission lines. The tool fixture of the present invention comprises a cast metal member which has its lower end provided with the relatively flat supporting flange having the lugs 23 projecting from its face 26 and separated by grooves 23. Since the clamping screw 22 is usually permanently attached to the universal pole l8, the flange 25 has an axially extending groove 21 for receiving the screw bolt 22 so that the tool fixture can be secured to the universal pole l8 by means of the clamping screw 22. These tool fixtures can, of course, be secured at any of a plurality of difierent angles depending upon whether it is desirable or convenient to have the tool project from the pole at an angle. The operators of these poles may, of course, be standing upon platforms, or they may be perched on the side of a line pole, so that it is often necessary to manipulate the tools in a precarious or inconvenient position.

Eachof the tool fixtures 20 is preferably provided above the supporting flange 25 with an enlargement 28 comprising a substantially rectangular block portion of metal which preferably has fiat sides 29 and 30 for engaging the driving pins 3| carried by the twister heads In or I I. The end portions 32, 33 of these blocks may also be flat, so that they can be brought into their engagement with the sides of the twister head where they will intercept the pins 3! either for holding or driving the twister heads.

Above the driving blocks 28 the tool fixtures 23 may be provided with a rod-like extension 34 which is laterally curved at 35 by a bend which brings the shank 34 into a radial position with respect to the twister head when the tool is on the head. The rest of the upper portion 33 of the toolfixture is formed into a half-circular hook portion adapted to serve as a bearing for rotatably supporting the tool on one of the hubs 31 or 33 of the twister head. This hook portion preferably extends over substantially 180 of the circumference of the hub, or slightly less than 180, the rest of the hook being open throughout the remaining 180} or more, so that the hook can be placed on the hub through the opening of the hook. The hook is also preferably circular in form so that it has a firm, engagement on the hubs 3'! and 33 and is retained on the hub by gravity particularly when the tool fixture is carried by the end of a long pole depending from the hook.

Four of the tools l ll'l are required for the manipulation of the twister heads in the installation of armor to the transmission line conductor under ordinary conditions, but it is possible to utilize one twister head by clamping a band about the wires to secure one of the ends of each wire to the conductor while the wires are twisted from the other end. The twister heads Ill and H are identical in construction and arrangement, and two of them are preferably used in the operation of the device, although one might be used alone as just described.

Each of these twister heads comprises a metal member formed of two halves which together form a wheel adapted to be rotatably mounted on a transmission line conductor. The two halves, 43 and H, are similar in construction, as follows:

Each comprises a centrally located half hub portion 31 and 38 projecting from each side, the hub portion being half-cylindrical, and each being provided with a half annular retaining flange 42, 43. The hub portions 31 and 3B are. formed with half cylindrical grooves 44 so that when the two halves 40 and H of the twister head are secured together, as shown in Fig. 2, there is a cylindrical bore extending into each end of each hub portion, as indicated at 45, 46 in Fig. 5. The bores 45, 46 are, however, separated by two inwardly extending half circular flanges 41, 48, which are each provided with a half cylindrical groove so that when they are together they form a cylindrical bore 49 for receiving a conductor wire [3. The bore 49 serves as a bearing for rotatably supporting the wheel or twister head on the conductor wire in the application of the armor. The wheel rotates and slides on the wire by means of the bearing 49. The flanges 41, 43 are also provided with a multiplicity of small cylindrical apertures 50 regularly spaced from each other and located near the periphery of the flanges 47, 48, that is, near the wall of the holes 45, 46. The apertures 50 are of suitable size to slidably receive the armor wires 5| (Fig. 1) which are used to make the armor that is applied to the conductor l3. Any desired number of apertures 50 and armor wires can be employed. The present invention has four apertures in each half hub member, and it is adapted to utilize eight wires in applying armor to one size of transmission line conductor.

It should be understood that any desired number of Wire apertures and apertures of anysize may be used, the number and size of apertures depending upon the size of the armor wires in relation to the conductor in which the armor is to be applied.

In eifect the flanges 41, 48 serve as a guiding member for guiding the armor Wires as they are being twisted about the conductor I3.

The guiding member 41, 48 has its apertures provided with a predetermined clearance with respect to the armor wires, so that when the armor wires are being twisted they are adapted to slide through the apertures and twist into spiral engagement with the conductor I3.

The friction involved in the withdrawal of the wires from the apertures 50 as they are being fed into spiral engagement with the wire is such as to insure the spiral engagement of one wire with an adjacent wire so that the conductor is completely covered with the armor thus applied.

The hub portions 31, 38 of each twister head support a relatively thin spoke flange 5|, which is circular in shape and which at its outer ends supports the circular rim 52 of the wheel or twister head.

Naturally each of the flanges 5| and rim 52 of the half heads 40, 4! only form half of the wheel. Each of the rims 52 is provided with a plurality of axially projecting pins 53-58, and the pins are provided on both sides of the rim, as shown in Fig. 3. The pins 53 are preferably cylindrical in shape and may form an integral part of the rim, but in further embodiments of the invention they may comprise pins secured in bores in the rim by tight frictional fit. The pins 53 project axially from the rim 52 sufi'icient- 1y so that they have firm engagement with the flat sides 29 and 30 of the driving blocks 28 carried by the tool fixture 23. However, the hook 36 is adapted to be swung laterally of the hub 31 or 38 into such angular position that the driving block 28 of any book may engage the sides of the pins 53-58. For this purpose the flange 42 or 43 has a suitable clearance on each side of the hook portion 36. 'The rim 52'. may ,have its-outersurfacei! cylindrical, but itis not necessarily-so. The-two side surfaces 50 and GI of the'rim are;,preferably .flat,.so that the driving blocks-28 ,on the tools 201maybe :brought into fiat engagement with the side of zthewheeltoase sure the "driving engagement between the flat surfaces 29 or530 of ablockwith anyof thegpins 5358. The 'two half portions will, 1 of the twister head are different in the following ,rrespects: the upper half portion-40 ,isypreferably .provided with -a fflange '63 projecting radially from the rim 52 adjacent theystraight .border .64 of this halfhead-fill for engagement with a pint1e55.

The lower half 4| of the twister head Illor ll preferably. has its rim 521provided with a pair of ,radially .eextending .fianges 66, 46'! :located 'to receive the :fiange "83 .between them and also provided with thereg-istering apertures for receiving a pintle 65. The .pintle-BS maybe-abolt, butis preferably a rivet sothat .the two' halves of .the .twisterheadcannot come apart under any-:conditions. 'Thelower twister'half 1; has its .flange 566 provided with a relatively thicker portion 68, which is preferably ofthesamethicknessas'the lrim'52, butwhich projects inwardly to provide sufficient body so. that-abore69 may extend .through the enlargement 58. The bore 69 is preferablyilocatedso thattherod Hlwhich it isadapted to 'slidably receive hasits eye shaped end "1| locatedat-one-side of the web 5|. .The eye H is secured to the web 5| by 'a-rivet'12 passing through the eye Hand web -5l'. The bore ES has'asuitable clearance surrounding the rod so that as the two halves-=40and-4| of the twister head pivot apart to the position shown .in Fig.4, the necessary angular movement between the rod 10 andthe-walls ofthe bore 69 is permitted. The lower end of-the--rod 1D is provided with a threaded-portion 13, which is located=outside thefiat thrust surface 14 on the-rim of the lower half-M. This threaded portion threadedly supports an eye member '15 having-an eye 160f the =same-size as the *eye-screw on a standard hot wire clamp-so that the'eye may be engaged byastandard-clamp stick. The eye member 15-may have a cylindrical shank "provided with the threaded bore'ldfor receivingtheend of the rod". Theshank TI is also preferably provided with a transversely-extending lug or pin-l9 which projectsjfrom the shank at each side-in such manner-as to be engaged in the transverse slot which is-located'in the endof the standard clamp sticks ,of the-type shown in Figs.'4 and 8.

The clamp sticks in'question' are preferably of the type having "a long pole of wood or otherinsulating material for supporting a clamp stick head 80. The clamp stick head .preferablyhas a cruciform'aperture at the top for slijdably supporting a cross head with a pair of pivotedjaws which are adapted to engagein the eye 18..to secure the eye to'the stick. The clamp stick also has a wooden actuating member adapted to draw the'cross head and jaws of jthe hook engaging the eye 16 downwardly-intothe socket of the stick until the transverselug 19 engages the sides of the cruciform socket above mentioned.

Thus the eye member 15 maybe fixedly secured to the end of a clamp :stickso that both of the twisterheads ill .and- I [maybe supported by clamp sticksand applied to-the armor.

Theoperation-of the clamp SlJlGRJOII Q, twister head is asiollows: The jaws or -the clamp stick may-be engaged in theeye l6,--and then the jaws may be drawn downwardly into-the: socket 10f the clamp stick to draw the'eye'lfi into thesocket.

This willbringthe bar 19 intothe cruciform part of the'socketpf the "clampstickso that the eye member 15-will -be:fi xedly held'by'the upper end of theclampstick.

the clamp stick is rotated while the. twister head lb or ll is held inthe same planathe threaded member 15 will '-move .on'thethreaded portion "of the rod 10.

:A'clockwiserotation 'of the "clamp stick-will drawthe two halves of the twister head together fromtheposition vofFig. 4 torthat of Fig. 2. A counter-clockwise rotation of the clamp stick will cause the threaded member 15-to recejde downwardly on the rod "10. .This-will cause the upper half'lflto beheld in-the same positionby theclam-pstick, threaded member-'15: and rod 10, buttthe lower half ll, having its thrust-surface H resting on threaded member 'l-Lavill drop to the -position of Fig. 4. Thus it will be evident thatthe clamp stick may be -used to lift the twisterhead up toplaceit-on awi-re or transmission line conductor-where the-stickcan be used to close the head or to =open'it. The clamp stick must, of course, be removed when the head isto be rotated.

The method of application of thearmor to the wire'and the modeof manipulation of the foregoing-tools to-aocomplish this result is done-as follows:

Thetwo twister heads are opened tothe positionof Fig.4. Clamp sticksof thetype described having a hook engaging the 'eye' 16, or having two clamping jaws engaging in'theeyeyare fixedly secured tothe eye member '15 of each twister head,-with the transverse lugs l9 in' the slots .at the end of the clamp stick.

The twister heads ;-are then-placed in parallel position about a foot apart-and armor wires-are inserted-in the apertures in, such manner that theendsofthe wire'project'beyond the twister headsan'equatamount-in each direction. 'With all ofv the apertures 50 filled with armor wires and the-twister heads open as in Fig. 4 and carried by clamp sticks, two operators-mayi then apply the twister "heads simultaneously to the conductor wire 13. This isdone by liftingthe assembly by means of the two clam-ping sticks and placing the upperslots-fl-forthe conductor wire "l'3 on the conductor wire l3. Then the clamp sticks are rotated-in the clockwise direction, as previously described, until the two halves of the twister heads are both'drawn-tightly together to the position of Fig. 2.

The clamp sticks maythen be removed in the usual way leaving the twister heads on the conductor I3 with the armor wires.

.Four of the tools 20 comprisingthe hook members. illustrated in Figs. 2 and Bare then applied to the. hubs:3'|,a38 of the two twister members as shown .in Fig. 1. These tools are indicated in Fig. 1 by the numerals M-ll. The handles of these tools-are long-wooden poles, and each tool on eachtwisterheadserves alternately for hold ing and next for twisting the head.

Two operators are preferably required and they operate thetwister heads I U and I l to rotate them simultaneously in opposite directions. .The twister heads may be rrotated, in either direction. provided the relative rotation; is opposite.

For example, in Fig. l the twister head ll has been rotated counterclockwise; viewing from the left, and'the twister head it! has been rotated clockwise, viewing it from the left. This rotation is accomplished asfollowsz V V With the tool M in the position of Fig. l, the tool [5 may be pivoted laterally, that islongitudinally'of the line, at its lower end, until the driving block 28 is out of engagement with the pin 55 or 55. Then the tool l5 may be pivoted upon the hub 38 with the wire i3 serving as an axis until it is in position to engage behind the lug 55, for example. The operator may then pull the rod rotatively about the conductor wire as an axis in a clockwise direction in Fig. 2, the driving block 28 engaging the lug 55 to rotate the twister head H.

In the meantime the operator may be moving the stick M laterally to clear the next pin, so that stick 14 may be moved backwa'rdly behind the next pin on that side of the twister'head until the driving block 28 on that stick can engage behind that pin. The next step is the rotation of the twister head I I further in the-same direction by means of the stick I 4 having its driving block 28 engaging the pin while the operator is moving the stick l5 laterally and back to'take a new bite on a pin on that side of the wheel. Thus the tools may be said to operate in a manner like ratchets, one holding and advancing the wheel while the other is taking a new bite, and the operators may rotate the two twister heads in opposite directions to place the armor wire as shown at [2 in Fig. 1. As this is done the'twister heads are moved longitudinally of the conductor wire !3, and they feed out the armor Wire until the twister head passes oh the end of the armor wires. Then the ends of the armor wires may be ironed down by delivering an ordinary'tap clamp and rotating it, or they may be cut off by using a shipping tool on the end of a long pole.

My method of applying armor may be briefly summarized as follows:

A plurality of armor wires are simultaneously supported about the conductor wire in parallel position equally spaced from each other circumferentially of the conductor wire. The armor Wires are then engaged simultaneously at two spaced points and twisted spirally by rotation of the end portions of the armor wires in opposite directions, the points of engagement with the armor wires receding from each other as the wires are spirally applied to the conductor. The armor wires are thus spirally wrapped in edgewise engagement with each other upon the conductor outwardly toward both ends'of the armor wires, and the armor wires have their ends cut off if necessary and ironed down by-mean's -of the application of an ironing force with a hotwire clamp or other clamping member.

It will thus be observed that I have inventedan improved method of delivering armor wires to high voltage conductors, and improved tools for accomplishing this result. My tools are very simple and compact, as they involve parts which may be attached to universal poles and which may be carried in any tool box. The twister heads themselves are relatively simple and compact, and may also be carried in a tool box.

It is not necessary to-deenergize' the line, and this service need not be interrupted. The ma nipulation of the tools and application of the armor may be accomplished with perfect safety as all of it may be done at the'end of wooden poles of thesame length as standard clamp sticks. The armor may be very tightly twisted on'the conductor, and as ordinary round wires may be used, the armor may be purchased at a lower cost than the material of the armor of the prior art, which involved the use of fiat ribbons.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the'spirit of the invention, and I do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to" avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: I t

1; A tool of the'class described comprising a twister headsplit On its longitudinal center line into individual sections hingedly connected together, a hub, acentr'ally disposed wire receiving opening in said hub, and a plurality of smaller openings surrounding said wire receiving opening in circumferential spaced relation, laterally projecting lugs mounted on both sides of the rim of the twister head, and grooves provided on said hub to accommodate a ratcheting tool.

2. In a tool of the class described comprising a disk-shaped head split on it longitudinal center line to form individual sections hingedly connected together at the one edge, a rim on the head, laterallyv projecting lugs provided thereon in spaced relation, a bored hub, grooves adjacent the opposite ends of the hub, a centrally disposed wire accommodating opening in said hub, a'plurality of circumferentially arranged openings surrounding said center opening, means for se curing the individual section in closed position, and ratcheting means mounted in said grooves and engageable with said lugs for step-by-step rotation of said head; 7

3. Ina tool of-the class described comprising a twister head split on its longitudinal center line to. form individual sections hingedly connected together, a rim on said head, laterally projecting lug mounted on the opposite sides of the rim in spaced relation, a centrally disposed hub, fianges on the ends of the hub and forming grooves adapted to loosely accommodate a ratcheting tool, a centrally disposed opening in said hub; circumferentially arranged openings surrounding said centrally disposed opening, and ratcheting handles loosely and rotatably mounted in the grooves on said hub and engageable with said lugs for rotating said head;

4. A tool of the class-described, comprising a twister head split on its longitudinal center line to form individual sections hingedly secured together at the one edge, a rim on said head, laterallyprojecting. pins mounted on the opposite edges thereof, with the pins on one side in staggered relation to the pins on the opposite side, a centrally disposed bored hub, grooves at the 0pposite ends of the hub, a relatively thin webdividing said bore in said hub into individual chambers and provided with a centrally disposed transmission line accommodating opening therein, a plurality of smaller opening arranged in 'circumferentially spaced relation around said receiving the conductor wire, whereby it is rotatablysupported on theconductor wire,;said memberhaving a plurality of transverse apertures the separable parts of said member'com'prising threaded means located between the aperture and the point of pivot of said parts and carried by one of said parts and acting on the other of said-parts, said threaded means including an actuating member having an eye adapted to be engaged by a standard clamp stick.

6. A twister head for twisting a serie of armor wires on a line conductor comprising a rotatable member having a centrally located aperture for receiving the conductor wire, whereby it is rotatably supported on the conductor wire, said member having a plurality of transverse apertures for slidably receiving armor wires, said head comprising a pair of separable parts joined along a line intersecting said first mentioned aperture and pivoted together at one side of said aperture to open the separable parts for access to the aperture, and means for controlling the position of the separable parts of said member comprising threaded means located between the aperture and the point of pivot of said parts and carried by one of said parts and acting on the other of said parts, said threaded means including an actuating member having an eye adapted to be engaged by a standard clamp stick, and said actuating member having a transverse bar carried thereby adapted to be engaged by the end of the clamp stick when the eye is withdrawn in the clamp stick to secure the actuating member fixedly to the clamp stick.

'7. A twister head for twisting a series of armor wires on a line conductor comprising a rotatable member having a centrally located aperture for receiving the conductor wire, whereby it is rotatably supported on the conductor wire, said member having a plurality of transverse apertures for slidably receiving armor wires, said head comprising a pair of separable parts joined along a line intersecting said first mentioned aperture, and insulating means for supporting said head and applying it to a line conductor, said rotatable member being formed at its opposite sides with hubs and guide flanges for engaging actuating tools.

8. A twister head for twisting a series of armor wires on a line conductor comprising a rotatable member having a centrally located aperture for receiving the conductor wire, whereby it is rotatably supported on the conductor wire, said member having a plurality of transverse apertures for slidably receiving armor wires, said head comprising a pair of separable parts joined along a line intersecting said first mentioned aperture, and. insulating means for supporting said head and applying it to a line conductor, said rotatable member being formed at its opposite sides with hubs and guide flanges for engaging actuating tools, and having a plurality of axially extending lugs extending from its opposite sides to engage said actuating tools.

9. A line tool for actuating twister heads comprising an elongated insulating pole and a metal tool member carried thereby at one end, said tool member being formed at its end with a partially circular hook, said hook extending over slightly less than at'its inner circular element, whereby an opening is left to apply-it to a cylindrical hub, said tool member having a shank provided with an enlargement having a pair of oppositely located twister engaging surfaces 10- catedon a plane at substantially right angles to the plane of said hook.

10. A line tool for actuating twister heads comprising an elongated insulating pole and a metal tool member carried thereby at one end, said tool member being. formed at its end with a partially circular hook, said hook extending over slightly less than 180 at its inner circular element, whereby an opening is left to apply it to a cylindrical hub, and said metal tool member having a shank between said pole and hook provided with front and rear engaging surfaces for firm engagement with projecting lugs on a twister head.

11. A twister tool for actuating a twister head in applying armor comprising a metal member having a universal attaching flange provided with a slot for receiving a securing screw on a universal pole, said tool having a shank extending from said flange and having a partially circular hook formed on the end of said shank, said hook extending over slightly less than 180 at its inner circular element whereby it may be applied to the round hub of a twister head, said shank also having an enlargement having a pair of oppositely located twister engaging surfaces located on a plane at substantially right angles to the plane of said hook.

12. An assembly for twisting armor wires comprising a pair of twister heads rotatably mounted upon a conductor wire, each of said twister heads being formed with a plurality of apertures for passing armor wires, and each of said heads having laterally projecting hubs and laterally projecting lugs spaced from said hubs, and a pair of actuating tools carried by each of said twister heads, each tool having its end pivotally mounted on one of said hubs and holding an insulating pole, whereby the tools may be used alternately to advance the twister heads in opposite directions by the alternating engagement of said tools with said lugs in rotating each twister head.

13. An assembly for twisting armor wires comprising a pair of twister heads rotatably mounted upon a conductor wire, each of said twister heads being formed with a plurality of apertures for passing armor wires, and each of said heads having laterally projecting hubs and laterally projecting lugs spaced from said hubs, and a pair of actuating tools carried by each of said twister heads, each tool having its end pivotally mounted on one of said hubs and holding an insulating pole, whereby the tools may be used alternately to advance the twister heads to opposite directions by the alternating engagement of said tools with said lugs in rotating each twister head, said tools having partially circular hook-shaped ends and said hubs having guide flanges for retaining said hook-shaped ends on said hubs.

14. In an assembly for twisting armor wire on a conductor, the combination of a pair of rotatable wheels adapted to be rotatably mounted on the conductor in spaced relation to each other, each of said wheels having an aperture spaced radially from the conductor and adapted to receive an armor wire, manual means carried on insulating poles for rotating one wheel in one direction and rotating the other wheel in the opposite direction to eiiect a spiral winding of the armor wire located in said aperture about the conductor.

15. In an assembly for twisting armor wire on a conductor, the combination of a pair of rotatable wheels adapted to be rotatably mounted on the conductor in spaced relation to each other, each of said wheels having apertures spaced radially from the conductor and adapted to receive armor wires, manual means carried on insulating poles for rotating one wheel in one direction and rotating the other wheel in the opposite direction to effect a spiral winding of the armor wires located in said apertures spaced from said conductor for applying a plurality of armor wires to the conductor.

16. In an assembly for twisting armor wire on aiconductor, the combination of a pair of rotatable wheels adapted to be rotatably mounted on the conductor in spaced relation to each other, each of said wheels having an aperture spaced radially from the conductor and adapted to receive an armor wire, manual means carried on insulating poles for rotating one wheel in one direction and rotating the other wheel in the opposite direction to efiect a spiral winding of the armor wire located in said apertures about the conductor, said latter means comprising a stepby-step actuating device. LOWELL J. KERBY. 

